Pros
The benefits are absolutely phenomenal! There is a heavy concentration on culture, professionalism, and ethics. The competitive differentiator for the company is keeping the small bank feel while expanding nationally. The LDP program is 10 months in Winston-Salem, which is a beautiful city with a lot of history. Surprisingly, the cost of living is also relatively low. One of the program's primary intentions is embedding the culture into the associates so that we can reinforce them in all areas of the company. There are frequent opportunities to meet Executive Managers, including the CEO.
Cons
The Leadership Development Program has been highly expanded over the past decade, and facilitators are frequently changing, adding, and updating the program for greater efficiency. The downside is that you won't have a precise schedule for more than a few months in advance, although you are aware of what to expect on a macro level.